Page 47 of Nanny for the Athletes

Braden looked around the bathroom. “Is there not another one in the master bedroom?”

“There is, but it has one of those walk-in tub things to prevent someone older from falling. Hopefully I don’t need to use that for alongtime.”

Braden set down his suitcase and chuckled. “Sometimes I feel like I’m one rough tackle away from needing a shower like that. I know a lot of former players with bad knees, bad backs.”

He started to close the door, but left it open a crack. Enough to give me a sliver of a view as he began stripping. I quickly turned away and asked, “Do you want a drink before we go out?”

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he called as the water began to run.

“Even if that’s wine?”

“I’m not picky!”

I went into the kitchen and retrieved a bottle that was chilling in the fridge. The door to the bathroom was to my right, just in my field of view. The sound of the water changed tones, and I imagined it running over Braden’s perfectly-chiseled body. Washing away the sweat and grime, covering him with clean moisture.

To cover the sound of the water, I turned the kitchen television on. The channel was ESPN, and they were showing highlights from the Colts game that afternoon. Christian had the ball, scanning the field for an open receiver. He ducked away from an opponent’s grasping arm, then threw a lob into the back of the end zone. Braden was open, and reached out to catch the ball, but it passed through his fingertips. If he had jumped, he would have caught it easily.

“Thankfully, that dropped pass by the normally flawless Braden Clark didn’t matter, as the Colts went on to win…”

It was surreal seeing Braden on TV after he’d spent the last hour helping me with the dogs. And now he was showering in my bathroom, twenty feet away. I changed the channel to what I expected to be the local news, but instead they were showing the Blues hockey game. Logan Landry had just scored a goal, and was skating around the ice in celebration. He passed the opponents’ bench, staring them down as he did so. That enraged two opposing players, who climbed over the wall and tossed down their gloves to fight.

Logan was sharing a woman with Braden and Christian. Would he want to share me, too?It was an overwhelming thought.

“I hate to be a bother,” Braden called, “but do you have an extra washcloth? There’s already one in here, but I don’t want to use yours.”

“One second!” I went to the linen closet down the hall, retrieved a washcloth and a spare towel, and returned to the bathroom. Steam was filling the small space. I placed the towel and washcloth on the sink next to the shower door.

“Here.” The shower door opened and a large palm reached out. “Hand it to me.”

I did as he asked, trying my best to avoid looking into the shower. But that was impossible, and my breath caught in my throat.

Steam. Muscles. Tan skin. A bare ass cheek. When we had almost hooked up in the limo, he never removed his shirt. This was the first time seeing himtotallynude.

I blinked and turned away. “I’ve got your wine out here when you’re done.”

“Cool, thanks!” There was a long pause. “Hey, Beth?”

I felt my pulse quicken. “Yeah?”

“You don’t have to wait until I’m done to shower. There’s plenty of room in here. If you want. Not trying to pressure you or anything. Otherwise, I’ll be done in a few.”

21

Beth

My voice caught in my throat. Was he suggesting what I thought he was suggesting? The sound of the water running seemed louder now, drowning out the hockey fight on TV.

We could shower together. And probably more.

I felt frozen in place. I was excited by his offer, and desperately wanted to say yes, but my feet felt frozen to the ground. Why was I so scared?

The first move is always the toughest. Sure, he had invitedmeinto the shower with him, but it required me to actually make the move. And thinking about it was much easier than actually doing it.

The water continued running. Braden began humming to himself, the sound echoing off the tile.

I allowed myself a long swig of wine for liquid courage, then took a step forward in the bathroom. Then a second step. My body was on fire with desire, eager to finish what we had started in the limo, and even more eager to start something new with the gorgeous professional football player in my shower.

Braden let out a groan. “I didn’t realize how sore my muscles are. The hot water feels great. I might stay in here until the hot water runs out. Sorry, not sorry.”

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